It’s Over
Remember when Breast Cancer Awareness Month began on October 1st? There was excitement, adrenalin, anticipation, enthusiasm …
But now? National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is over.
That makes me crazy nervous.
Because I wonder, will women continue to pay attention to their breast health the rest of the year? I know three women who had mammograms in October month because they got the message during the month of October. Will breast health stay on top of people’s minds throughout these next 11 months until next October? Will they remain diligent about their doctors’ appointments? Will they remember the messages that I, for one, tried to drive home all month?
In October, each time I saw pink products on the shelves or heard pink news on the radio or saw pink programs on television or read pink articles and advertisements in magazines I felt validated. I felt supported. And, I felt relief. I knew that people were noticing it, people were talking about it and people were internalizing it. Not all people, but enough. And maybe one who’s life would be saved as a result.
Am I sorry to see the month end? Absolutely. Breast cancer doesn’t go on holiday, it doesn’t move over to make room for something else, it doesn’t disappear — it is around all year ’round.
Yeah. I’m sorry that it’s over. Goodbye NBCAM. I’ll see ya next year!
November 1st, 2007 at 11:04 am
People do sit up and take notice in October..and most of the dollars needed for research are raised in October…and it’s up to those of us who have been affected by breast cancer to keep talking about it..and never stop.
November 2nd, 2007 at 1:47 pm
I wonder if it is a coincidence that two people within one square mile of my home were diagnosed this month b/c they went for their mammograms in October …
The pressure needs to stay on all year!